Good Till Cancelled (GTC) is one of the formats sellers can use to create listings on eBay. Using this style, a seller creates his inventory listing for the duration of 30 days at a fixed price. At the end of the 30-day period, the listing is automatically renewed, and the item gets listed again. This cycle continues until the seller decides to cancel the listing altogether and the seller is required to pay any applicable fees every time the listing is renewed.

As a Seller Why should You Use GTC:

1. No Need to Create a New Listing Every Time

If you have a large amount of a particular item and you regularly restock it, GTC will keep your list stay active until all your items are sold, or you choose to end the listing for some reason. This means that you don’t have to create fresh listings every time the item sells. And you’ll have more time on your hands to look after other facets of your business.

2. The Inventory Features High on Best Match Searches

Every renewed GTC listing has the previous sale history attached to it. This helps build an item history over time. This helps to ensure the listing shows up higher on the search results pages. This is especially true for sellers dealing with high volume sales.

3. Helps Build a Good Reputation

GTC helps prospective buyers gauge how many items you’ve sold as a seller and also see the kind of feedback you’re earned over time. This helps build the buyers trust in you and drives the buyer to go for a repeat purchase.

4. Your Product Keeps the Same URL

With a GTC listing, the item keeps the same URL address until you cancel it. This helps the listing increase search positioning, especially over newly listed items. It also means that anyone watching the item will not lose the ability to do so once the 30 days are over.

5. Helps Build an Accurate Sales History

It’s a good idea for sellers who often list an item multiple times to keep an accurate sales history. This helps to quickly view what items sell well and need to be restocked as well as items that do not sell well and may need to be taken out of inventory or put on sale. Ebay’s GTC listings allow sellers to keep an item history that shows valuable information such as total items sold and the number of watchers an item has.

When it comes to listing on eBay, it isn’t wise to rest on your laurels (no matter how seasonal a seller you are). Why you ask? Because eBay keeps up with market trends by making regular changes to its listing requirements. And if you, as a seller, don’t keep up, you’ll be one step behind the smart proactive ones. If you want to give your visibility a boost on eBay you need to capture potential consumers at the right time. A customer generally wants to cut the listing clutter and find the item he’s looking for, at a favorable price, purchase it, and have it delivered as quickly as possible. So, you’re always on top of your listings and in turn sales on eBay we’ve put together a list of 8 things you should do:

1. Write Impactful and Attention-Getting Titles

You have 80 characters, use them wisely and to their full potential when creating a title. It is the first thing a customer sees and so should be descriptive, relevant and self-explanatory. Be sure you use correct grammar and spelling. In case you need to furnish more information (seller status, free delivery, warranty), use subtitles under your title.

2. Always Include Accurate Product Identifiers

Adding product identifiers to your listing help buyers identify your items on eBay search and other search platforms. These identifiers help tie together your listed products with the relevant query. A few examples of product identifiers are manufacturer’s product names, GTINs, and brands. For certain listings, these identifiers are mandatory too. Of course, even if your listed items don’t need mandatory identifiers it’s always wise to include them so you can attract more viewers and make more sales. To see if your items require identifiers check Seller Central.

3. Max Out Your eBay Free-Pictures- Upload Quota

Make your product visible in the best way possible by utilizing eBay’s free photo upload limit to the max. Currently, eBay allows you to upload 12 free photos on its platform. Make the most of it to showcase your product and increase the chances of conversion. Considering you have a 12 picture quota, we suggest you take high resolution (1600 pixels and up) close-up shots that clearly display the finer details of your item. The pictures should work for mobile users too. On thing to never forget: If your item has variants your main image should always depict that.

4. List Your Item in the Correct eBay Category/Sub Category Page

No matter what you’re selling, make sure that you put your items in the correct category page and use the most relevant item specifics. Remember most buyers go to the category they want to buy something in, and if your items are incorrectly listed you’ll not just lose your chance of visibility but you’ll also lose sales.

5. Work Around the eBay Algorithm, Never Overlook It

The more eBay understands your listing, the more quickly it matches your items with the buyer’s query. This search algorithm helps you as a seller to rank well in search results. The algorithm looks for item listings under the correct category/ sub-category page, with the right keywords in the title that reflect in the buyer’s search. Also, when you add brand, color, size information to your item the buyer will get the correct information when he applies the filter, and the algorithm will reward you for including such item specifics too.

6. Be Abreast of the Current Delivery and Seller Standards

To improve your (seller) delivery and return dynamics, eBay has recently implemented new seller standards. This means that you need to clearly describe your items by including item specifics. You need to also mention your delivery and return policy, which should ideally be for 30 days. Stick to the delivery deadline you promise and use the same shipping service mentioned in your listings.

7. Use Long Tail Keywords

The traffic you attract is directly proportional to the keywords you use. Use the right ones and you’ll see an increase in traffic. For this purpose, you need to use long tail keywords that are unique and specific to your product. This will lessen the search volume and competition for the keyword too. Long tail specific keywords also attract the consumer directly and push him to make a purchase. The logic is pretty simple to decipher. A person searching for “white off-shoulder top in size small” is typically more interested in actually buying the product than someone who’s just searching for “off-shoulder tops.”

8. Keep Your Descriptions Mobile Friendly

A vast majority of people who log on to eBay use their Android or iPhones Therefore, as a seller your listing should be mobile friendly. Follow eBay’s best practices to be sure that your description is optimized for mobile users. The practices include suggestions like: don’t use extraneous HTML as it may not render correctly, use a clear font and layout, do not use all caps – you aren’t screaming, use crisp and short descriptions that cover important details, keep all the important information above the fold and always keep your grammar on-point.

EBay is filled with enterprising e-tailers, which creates a vigorous marketplace. Templates offer a practical tool to manage content and stand out from your competitors, but templates must be used with care. Through our experience with many e-commerce sellers, the experts at CrewMachine have learned the secrets to effective eBay template design. Whether you use a template that we provide or decide to create your own, follow these pro tips for better user engagement and a higher conversion rate.

1) Brand Consistency

As you set up your information, keep in mind that everything should reflect your brand. For example, if you’re projecting a friendly, non-technical tone as part of your brand messaging, make sure that tone carries through to every piece of information you include.

2) Include the Right Details

Put yourself in the buyers’ shoes. What information are they likely to look for? Make sure that product features, customer service information, and thorough descriptions of product use scenarios are all present. Don’t forget any additional or unique service offers, maintenance suggestions and installation instructions. More information builds trust with your prospective buyers.

3) Identify the Most Important Information

While you need to include lots of information, an elegant eBay template design differentiates between the most important information (such as price and product features) and more granular details (such as installation instructions). Highlight basic product information by featuring it in a larger, or at least bolder, typeface. It’s crucial to organize your page to reduce visual clutter while providing relevant details for the purchase.

4) Highlight Deals

Make sure your page highlights special offers pertaining to the product. Don’t waste this opportunity to also highlight related deals you’re offering on other merchandise. Link directly to those details from your page to get some cross-promotional momentum.

5) Return Policy

Online shoppers are more likely to purchase when they know you have a solid and clear return policy. This will mitigate the risk of buying something without being able to look at it in person, or in the case of clothing, to try it on. Let your customers have full confidence in your service by clarifying your return policy. This is also the key to more positive reviews, which can spur on further sales.

6) Group Mentality

Include extra information such as your top-selling products and positive reviews to give the buyer a sense that you’re an established and trusted business. Buyers are influenced by their peers, so be sure to highlight any outstanding reviews you get and work on damage control immediately for any negative reviews.

7) FAQs Are Your Best Friend

An open channel for your customers to ask questions helps you in two ways. Firstly, it builds the relationship with the customer and ensures that she’s getting the appropriate product for her needs. It also gives you the opportunity to identify any missing information on your page. If one customer asks a question, that same question has likely occurred to many others. Addressing these questions in your design results in a more responsive eBay template.

Let’s face it, a seller with positive reviews and good feedback will receive more interest from potential customers and see an increase in sales – the ultimate goal of any vendor/eCommerce site. Product reviews are positive influencers that help in building trust, goodwill and, in many cases, prompt the on-the-fence-buyer to make a purchase. With that in mind, we’ve put together five tips that’ll help with getting reviews on Amazon and eBay.

1. Reach out and Ask for Product Reviews

The best strategy for getting reviews on Amazon or eBay is to reach out and ask. If you don’t request a review, there’s a chance you won’t get one. Meaning a customer might not go that extra mile for you and write a review. You need to give a little nudge and ask them gently to give some feedback if they are happy with the product. Send them an email with a link to the website and a request for a review.

2. Send Automated Emailers to Customers Asking for Feedback/Reviews

It’s tough to track down every customer and possible reviewer and ask for feedback. But it’s worth the effort. Several apps are available that you can use to send a polite email automatically asking them to write a review or give some feedback on the product. Many customers appreciate the effort and will be more inclined to write a positive review.

3. Woo the Consumer into Writing a Product Review for You

Sometimes, you need bait to entice consumers to write a review for you. This is one of the most popular ways of driving product reviews and in turn sales. Offers like: “write a review and get a chance to win xyz brand products worth $100.” Or have a pop up on the website that says “get additional 15% off on your next order by reviewing the previous purchase.” Such promotions often lead to an increase in reviews. Just be sure every one is from a legitimate purchaser.

4. Becoming a Top Seller on eBay and Amazon Drives Product Reviews

If you want plenty of positive product reviews, work at becoming a top seller on eBay and/or Amazon. Being a top rated seller is like a promise of reliability and good reputation. This status helps to increase sales, feedback and reviews.

5. Give Prominence to the Reviews on the Website

Reviews need to have ample visibility – if you hide them no one will be encouraged to write a review for you. Product pages should feature reviews prominently, where more people can read it and find out more about your service and the product. This transparency will encourage more consumers to buy from you and write their own reviews about the products they’ve purchased.

A budding entrepreneur is surrounded by these and many other questions when starting a retail business. But sometimes these questions can lead someone into doing something that may not be their first choice. In many cases, the easiest option looks more appealing than something that would allow them to express their individuality and offer more opportunities. To overcome this situation, everyone thinking about starting an online store should spend some time channeling their knowledge and experience to find the best solution. Some things to keep in mind include:

1. Level of Experience

If you’re a novice when it comes to online selling, then it’s a good idea to choose a platform that is predefined and easy to use. Ebay is an ideal choice as the platform is user-friendly, has defined parameters for every product and category and guides a user throughout the process with the help of FAQ and Hints. After Ebay, Amazon takes 2nd place in providing a smooth experience, although it doesn’t offer free templates. To create a new eCommerce website or store, you need to be knowledgeable enough to design and set it up, or hire someone to do it for you. You also need to know how to promote your online store, otherwise, you’ll get no traffic, make no sales and it may be a complete failure.

2. Budget

It is all about money! Not only about what comes to you but also how much it costs to start the process. With Ebay, you can start with nothing at all and build up cash flow by selling old junk lying around the house using the free templates. As the cash flows in, you can add new items to your store. This is not the case with Amazon as you need to push new products in bulk which involves a hefty investment. If you’re thinking about an online store, you need to also think about the initial investment. Everything from designing and hosting to adding inventory costs money.

3. Long Term Plan

You should be very clear about your long-term goals. If you are looking for a side income source, then Ebay and Amazon are the best platforms to start with. But if you want to expand and turn the business into a full-time income, then you must consider all three platforms as potential sources. Not only will it divide the risk factor, but it will also help in gaining a wider customer base.

4. Time

In a day-to-day scenario, most people have plenty of time to do the things they want or need to do. But when it comes to business, every second counts, and the time you spend on your business will affect the amount of income you bring in. With that in mind, decide if you want to start a full-time business or work a full-time job and start a part-time business. If first is the case, then opt for all three platforms and invest plenty of time to earn as much as possible. If later is the case, then open a store on Ebay or Amazon as they are both fairly easy and don’t take as much time.

5. Competition

One thing that no one can escape is competition. No matter where you go or where you work, it follows you around and urges you to take the lead or fall back. To get ahead in the competition, you need to have a smart approach. Ebay, is the world’s largest marketplace and has the most competitive market with millions of sellers from all over the world. One product can have thousands of sellers and 100 different varieties on one single platform. To keep up with this kind of competition, you need to be quick and innovative. With Amazon, you can take your time and build a store that attracts plenty of visitors. An online store lets you experiment and build at your own pace, but you need to be persistent to avoid sharks.

6. Control

Ebay and Amazon both have lists of rules to abide by. So when you open a store on these platforms, you need to follow every rule or risk your listing being removed. When it comes to an individual store, you are the boss with no rules in place. Be it shipping, payment or dispatch, everything works according to your rules. But this doesn’t give you the right to sell illegal or counterfeit material online. All three options have unique identities and attract a different genre of customers. But when it comes to an easy business with plenty of cash flow and little investment, then Ebay and Amazon rule the charts. An online store provides you with 100-percent control but takes more time, money, and knowledge. Take plenty of time to consider your options before starting an online retail business on any of the platforms in order to achieve your long-term goals.

CrewMachine is a content creation platform for brands and internet retailers to efficiently create, source, manage and syndicate their content on multiple channels. CrewMachine combines the best of CREW (human intelligence) and MACHINE (machine intelligence) to create scalable quality content for e-commerce. World top e-commerce companies and various other mid-size internet retailers use CrewMachine for cataloging and content creation.

Here are 12 ways that CrewMachine impacts the lives of hundreds of online sellers and makes them more efficient.

1) Single Place for all Product Information and Content

Sellers have different product-related content scattered over different platforms. Photographers provide images in Google Drive or Dropbox. Writers provide content in Word files or Excel sheets, while pricing and inventory-related information is stored elsewhere. Combining the scattered data is a headache. CrewMachine offers a platform that binds the catalog together. Our cloud storage protects the data that may otherwise get misplaced due to human error or a technical glitch.

2) Easy import From Various Formats

Retailers list their product catalog in different marketplaces. When catalogs are exported from different marketplaces, they come in all kind of files and formats. Sometimes these are large and complex excel files with macros enabled. CrewMachine allows you to import a variety of files from various sources (including your own e-commerce store) to one common platform. It then automatically maps your import file attributes to the available fields.

3) E-commerce Category Specific Custom Solutions

Each e-commerce category is unique. For example, the attributes required for a women’s dress differ from those for men’s formal shoes. With hundreds of different e-commerce categories, the list of product attributes is huge. CrewMachine provides category-specific custom solutions to sellers so they can focus on the attributes related to their target categories.

CrewMachine offers custom solutions for different e-commerce categories. These solutions also help sellers understand the difference between “must-have” and “good-to-have” product attributes for individual e-commerce categories. As marketplace standards change, CrewMachine solutions are updated.

4) Gap Analysis of Your Product Catalog

Crewmachine helps sellers to find gaps in their product catalog and fill them with useful data.

When you’re dealing with thousands of products, the gaps may not be readily apparent. For sellers, it’s difficult to spot errors like missing mandatory attributes, missing images or images with backgrounds, spelling mistakes, unit-of-measurement errors, non-optimized product descriptions, uneven keyword density and more. CrewMachine makes the sellers’ life easier by quickly identifying these gaps and offering automatic suggestions to fill them.

5) Bulk Update on Missing Product Attributes

Every category has attributes with common values for the entire catalog, or at least for a large set of products. For example, “sleeve style” in the case of women’s dresses or “number of seats” in the case of a baby stroller. Most marketplaces do not allow sellers to bulk update the attributes of their products. Even if they do allow this, the update can take weeks.

With CrewMachine, you can update the selected common attributes of hundreds of products in a matter of clicks.

6) High Quality (Machine Generated) Product Descriptions In Single Click

It can be difficult to create high-quality, unique product descriptions for multiple variants of the same product, especially if you’re working with writers who may not be equally knowledgable in all e-commerce categories. Many sellers simply copy the manufacturer’s descriptions, which are not buyer friendly or search engine optimized. Reusing the manufacturer’s descriptions is also likely to penalize your search rankings, since the content is not unique.

Crewmachine offers online sellers the power to build system-suggested baseline product descriptions that are rich in attribute data and keywords. This makes product description writing easy and cost-efficient for sellers. Our product descriptions follow all marketplace guidelines and the algorithm (called ‘GURU’) that results in these descriptions is constantly updated based on marketplace trends and information from hundreds of retailers. Sellers can tweak these descriptions and make any necessary changes in their guidelines to give a personal touch to the copy. This helps the machine learn from experience.

7) Suggestions for Blogs and Buying Guides for more sales

Why depend on marketplaces alone to drive your product sales? CrewMachine helps build regular blogs and buying guides that drive organic traffic and promote their brand and new product awareness. By analyzing your product catalog, CrewMachine suggests exciting and trending blog topics and buying guide titles. For example, if you have imported a catalog of young mens’ T-shirts, CrewMachine may suggest a blog about “What to Wear to Your Next Tinder Date” or a buying guide titled “What to Look for When Buying a Summer T-shirt”.

8) SEO Analysis Through Keyword Rank Checker Tools

Whatever good content you publish, it won’t matter unless someone is reading it. Retailers struggle to get more traffic to product pages, blogs and website, competing on search engines for a handful of keywords in any given category. CrewMachine helps sellers keep a track of their keyword rankings. CrewMachine clients can check their product page rankings on eBay, Amazon and Google for most vital keywords in a specific category. Keyword ranking is a key indicator of performance.

9) Better Customer Experience Through Rich eBay Templates

CrewMachine lets sellers create customized eBay templates in a matter of clicks for better conversion rates. Browse through the large number of free templates on the platform. These templates provide additional space on the eBay page where sellers can speak about their brand and other products as well. eBay templates engage the visitor, bring buyers closer to your brand and leave a good impression. Many sellers use their templates to elaborate on shipping and return policies as well. CrewMachine allows you to link your eBay stores to these templates.

10) Amazon A+ Page Modules

For sellers on Amazon, CrewMachine helps build A+ pages through different modules. This results in a better buyer experience and more conversions. Sellers can build custom A+ pages on CrewMachine and copy the HTML to build future Amazon A+ pages.

11) Mobile Optimized Content

Mobile contributes to more than 50 percent of traffic both on Amazon and eBay. All the features of CrewMachine keep mobile optimization in mind. Retailers sitting in their stores or warehouses can easily click pictures of their products and upload them on CrewMachine for catalog completion. The templates and content generated on CrewMachine are optimized for standard smartphones.

12) Create Content on Crewmachine, Publish Anywhere

Updated content with all attributes and images can be downloaded in marketplace-ready formats or published straight from CrewMachine. Publish instantly on a standard CMS like WordPress, Adobe AEM or Magento. CrewMachine also supports API Integrations with other e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Volusion, BigCommerce and Weebly. Hundreds of sellers worldwide use the CrewMachine Content Creation Platform to build new catalogs or update existing catalogs with valuable product information and engaging content.